Assessment of Training Using Pathfinder Associative Networks.

This study investigated the use of Pathfinder Associative Networks in assessing knowledge structures for people who learn information via computer-based tutorials. Graphical representations for a set of concepts were produced for participants who had completed a computer-based tutorial related to the concepts (novices) and for those who had no tutorial (naives). Thirty undergraduates were randomly assigned to be novices or naives, and 9 faculty and professional staff members volunteered to be experts. These graphs were then compared to graphical representations generated by experts. Comparing graphs revealed that the naives and novices were the most similar groups. However, the differences that occurred between the two groups were indicative of the fact that novices were becoming more similar to experts. (Author/SLD)